In Gauteng, Petco is helping to grow the impact of collecting and recycling packaging by making it smarter, safer, and more effective. In Mogale City, municipal staff learned best practices for waste separation at source; in Tembisa, members of the Tembisa Self-Help Association of the Disabled, previous Petco award winners, received essential protective gear; and in Tshwane we gave accredited training that acts as launchpad for ambitious township waste entrepreneurs.

In Mogale City, we worked with the local municipality to encourage a recycling mindset, donating 48 separation-at-source (S@S) bins and seven signage boards to boost city-wide recycling. Forty-two staff members also joined a hands-on session to learn practical waste-sorting techniques. Petco would like to extend a big thank-you to the Mogale City municipal team and everyone who brought such energy and enthusiasm to the day – your commitment is helping bring recycling to life in the community.

In Tembisa, we met with members of the Tembisa Self-Help Association of the Disabled, distributing protective gear such as hats, reflective vests, boots, and raincoats – small items that make a big difference in everyday safety, comfort, and confidence. For Petco, the session reinforced an empowering message: Everyone, regardless of ability, can play a meaningful role in South Africa’s collection and recycling value chain.

In Tshwane, the accredited business training we offered was especially valuable because it helped elevate the work of collectors while adding to their formal qualifications.

Petco, in partnership with the City of Tshwane provided an NQF Level 2 training in business operations for SMMEs, co-operatives and buy-back centre employees across Hammanskraal, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, Mamelodi, Soshanguve and Mabopane, to help them gain the knowledge, tools, information and confidence to run sustainable and efficient businesses.

Some of the topics covered included:

• Developing and implementing an action plan for business operations
• Mobilising resources for a new venture
• Managing personal productivity and time effectively
• Monitoring productivity within a business venture, and
• Implementing and managing a basic quality system in a new venture.

This accredited course is tailored to real-world needs. More than just training, it's a launchpad for ambitious township entrepreneurs with the goal of strengthening local businesses, creating jobs, and igniting sustainable ventures from within.

Together, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, vibrant, and self-sustaining local economy in Gauteng.